What do you want in a leader?

This year our focus was on leadership. Before we voted on captains I gathered the girls and had them share the qualities that they look for in a leader. Here are the characteristics we came up with.

Leadership: Encouraging, positive, someone to talk to/friend, trust, 100% work ethic and attitude, respect, lead with words and actions, leaders on and off the field, example, character, expect greatness, unite the team, understanding, constructive criticism, you and others accountable, treat others equally, empathetic, patient, hope, teacher in how and why, team above themselves.

I took the four senior aside before we voted. These were the top girls nominated for the position of captain. Before they accepted the position I shared with them what we were looking for in a leader. Here is what I shared.

Leadership is not a position or title. Leadership is influence.

Are you using your influence to benefit yourself or the ones you are leading?

Three Things we are looking for in a leader:

1. Character – Character that is above reproach or question on and off the field.

   1. Who you are when no one is watching?

   2. Trust, responsible, integrity and honesty.

   3. Doing what Coach asked. At school and on Friday nights. Language. How you act and behave. Picking up the balls, doing 5 push-ups. Hitting the line on pitch hawks.

2. Work ethic – hardest working player on the field. Don’t need to be the best, but giving all effort.

   1. Giving it all you have.

   2. Setting the tone and the example for other players. Showing them what is expected. On and off the field. How you prepare for games. How you work hard in school.

3. Leadership – using your influence for the good of others. Must have the first two to have leadership. A leader needs vision for themselves and for the people they lead.

   1. Are you looking out for others? Checking in with teammates or players that are hurt? Sitting with the freshmen and making them feel included. Getting to know your teammates personally.

   2. Encouraging others to give their best and holding them accountable. Vision for the team and individuals. Working to get them there and lift them up. Inspire them to be more than they think they can be. Sometimes this means hard conversations.

   3. Communicating with leadership. Talking with coaches. Taking opportunities to lead when given. Speaking during half time, leading the team building games.

   4. Servant leadership – How can you put the needs and well-being of the team above your own. Sacrifice yourself for others. Taking ownership and responsibility for the team.

What is the legacy you want to leave behind? How do you want to be remembered?

Think about people in your life who have been great leaders.